InsideLacrosse.com's Division I Position Rankings, March 2

There’s no question that in a week when some teams have played four games while others have played only one, comparing early-season production is at least partly affected by preseason expectations. However, that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been anything learned through the first couple weeks of the season.

Heading into a big weekend that features games that could actually determine the front-runner for conference championships, these are the attackmen, midfielders, defensemen and goalies who’ve impressed the most.

Attack

1. Max Quinzani, Sr, Duke (13 goals, 3 assists, 3 games)
Quinzani exploded late against Penn to blow the game open, and he was also the Blue Devils’ only consistent option against Notre Dame.

2. Steven Boyle, Sr, Johns Hopkins (13, 4, 3 games)
Hopkins’ quarterback has shown an ability to score in a multitude of ways — in tight, turning the corner and shooting from distance.

3. Rob Pannell, Soph, Cornell (2, 3, 1 game)
With one game under his belt, Pannell seemed in sync with where last season ended, feeding Hurley for his first point of the season and getting looks for himself. Left with an injury at one point, but returned.

4. Chris Bocklet, Soph, Virginia (9, 4, 3 games)
A revelation for the Cavs’ offense, Bocklet is tremendous off-ball and has been an extremely high percentage shooter in tight.

5. Cody Jamieson, Sr, Syracuse (4, 2, 2 games)
After a four-goal opener against Denver, Jamieson was quiet against Army, content to only take three shots and dish out two assists. Alongside Keogh and Daniello, he can shift in and out of being the primary option.

6. Ned Crotty, RSr, Duke (3, 9, 3 games)
Like Carolina counterpart Billy Bitter, Crotty has really turned his game pass-first this season (which is saying something for a guy that put up 55 assists last year).

Midfield

1. Mike Kimmel, Sr, Johns Hopkins (6, 5, 3 games)
Not only did he finish off Siena with a man-up goal inside the last two minutes to seal the deal, but Kimmel’s been his usual dynamic, dual-threat, heady self.

2. Zach Brenneman, Jr, Notre Dame (4, 3, 2 games)
The 6-3, 215-pound middie has turned into an excellent dodging option for the Irish and should continue to create much of their offense.

3. Sean DeLaney, Sr, North Carolina (9, 1, 4 games)
With at least two goals in every game, DeLaney has been exactly what the Tar Heel midfield has needed from the senior — a steady, consistent presence as the youth settles in.

4. Kevin Crowley, Jr, Stony Brook (6, 5, 2 games)
After a huge day against Siena, Crowley put in two against Virginia on an afternoon where SBU couldn’t get much offense going. He’s explosive from the midfield.

5. Bobby Stockton, Jr, UMBC (6, 1, 2 games)
The Retrievers’ primary midfield option with Kyle Wimer moving to attack, Stockton is the reigning America East Player of the Week after scoring the game-winner against Rutgers Sunday.

7. Chris Hogan, Sr, Penn State (6, 1, 2 games)
While his stats may be helped by the Nittany Lions’ comeback effort against Robert Morris and a ridiculous shot total (31 in two games), Hogan’s also garnering the lion’s share of defensive attention.

Defense

1. Kevin Ridgway, Jr, Notre Dame
Not to make too much of one performance, but he did a fine job on Crotty and followed it up with a good performance against Penn State.

2. Ryan Flanagan, Jr, North Carolina
A physical presence, he’s part of a Carolina defense playing at the top of its game right now.

3. Sam DeVore, Sr, Johns Hopkins
Did an excellent job against Delaware’s Curtis Dickson, limiting him to one goal mid-week, then kept Siena’s Bryan Neufeld off the board for three quarters Sunday.

4. Joel White, Jr, Syracuse
Still making electric plays between the lines and keeping life miserable for opposing midfielders.

6. Matt Tierney, Sr, Syracuse
This week’s Big East Defensive Player of the Week, Tierney is the Orange’s primary cover option, but freshman Brian Megill has impressed as well.

7. Parker McKee, Sr, Duke
Perhaps the most talented college defender (he’s in the mix for a U.S. Team alternate spot), McKee’s leading Duke with 18 groundballs and already has two points in just three games.

Goalies

1. Scott Rodgers, RSr, Notre Dame (63.4%, 7.50 GAA, 2 games)
It’s impossible to ignore his 15-save performance against the nation’s No. 1 team that featured the U.S. National Team’s only college player. He’s also impressing with a defense that’s missing two starters.

2. John Galloway, Jr, Syracuse (66.7%, 6.69 GAA, 2 games)
Galloway’s been extremely tough to beat, and Syracuse has also been missing starters on defense. The two-time national champion goaltender is moving into the elite echelon of keepers. This weekend’s game against Virginia will be telling.

3. R. J. Wickham, Soph, Navy (65.2%, 7.83 GAA, 3 games)
Wickham’s been a bright spot in Navy’s 1-2 start. He’s seeing shots well and making clean saves, plus his 19-save day in an OT loss to Loyola was almost enough to save the day.

4. Michael Gvozden, Sr, Johns Hopkins (65.0%, 5.03 GAA, 3 games)
Much has been made of the change to Gvozden’s in-net style, playing a lower crease. He’s been reacting better to shots making more saves with his hands and staying behind shots better.

5. Chris Madalon, RJr, North Carolina (62.5%, 4.65 GAA, 4 games)
His stats benefit from some excellent defense and low-scoring games, but there’s no question he’s been a clear answer to what some thought would be a question mark for the Heels heading into 2010.

6. Tommy Palesky, Jr, Army (58.2%, 9.33 GAA, 3 games)
During the Black Knights’ slow start, Palesky has been solid, including keeping Sunday’s game against Syracuse close by making 21 saves.

7. Michael Novosel, Sr, Dartmouth (83.3%, 3.00 GAA, 1 game)
The Week One Ivy League Player of the Week was the key to the Big Green’s 7-3 win over Colgate, making 15 stops in the process.

Eleven players on this week's positional ranks will be playing at the Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic this weekend. Do you have your tickets yet?